From 4 to 11 February, five students of the Pedagogical University attended the winter-school organized at the University of Oulu in Finland.

During the one-week visit the students spent interesting and meaningful time. Within the framework of the busy programme, the future pedagogues got familiarised with the Finnish educational system. Besides, the ASPU students participated in classes held at the University of Oulu, made team-work activities together with the local students, had various meetings and discussion-talks.

In addition, visits to kindergartens and schools were also organized, where they listened to the local professionals and attended open lessons as observers.

Furthermore, the participants of the winter-school discovered the sights of the city of Oulu, visited the city library, went to a number of sites, which are considered as landmarks of Finland, as well as got familiarized with the culture, communicated with the local population and met some hospitable families. In order to introduce them with Armenian culture, the Armenian students prepared national meals and explained the role and meaning of each of the meal in Armenian cuisine.

“The visit to the University of Oulu was an exceptional opportunity to get acquainted with the educational system which is a role model for many countries. I am particularly impressed with our visit to the local school, where both the educational programmes and the facilities are customised to the needs of pupils; the same situation was at the kindergarten and at the University”, the MA student Zvart Ambroyan mentioned.

In her opinion, this was the best form of motivation in the course of studies. Likewise, in her interview to the www.aspu.am Zvart Ambroyan mentioned the specific features characteristic to that educational system, such as test assignments, absence of various examinations, etc. .

“They do a lot of practice, which contributes to not only sharing ideas, but also to the formation of co-working skills. Observing all of these, we could certainly not hold ourselves from originating new ideas”, added the student and assured that she would surely apply those ideas in the course of her professional activities.

The participants of the winter-school returned not just filled with bright impressions and unforgettable memories, but also with new ideas, with which they will try to contribute to the advancement of the educational system at their University.